Hidcote Manor Gardens

So having decided we need to do a bit of self-isolation or at least social distancing due solely to my 'underlying health problems', and my great age, we decided that staying in the house would make us both stir-crazy so we agreed on terms.  Driving was OK.  Walking in open spaces was OK. Drinking coffee at a table that is some distance from anyone else is OK.

Preparing ourselves with scarfs, gloves and hand sanitiser we took off after lunch for Hidcote.  We knew the outside Barn Cafe would be open and we had a nice cup of coffee at a corner table in the courtyard.  In fact we had the place to ourselves, other people preferring the indoors cafe, Winthrop's.  We then went for a walk through the gardens, carefully avoiding any close contact with anyone else, but allowing me the opportunity to take some photos.

This magnificent Magnolia tree was in blossom, standing out against the greenery around it.  The person to the right is not pulling blossom off the tree, she is taking close-up pics of it.  A reflection of the times we are going through is represented in my extra, this is Hidcote's Tennis Court, deserted!